The Disingenuousness of Phil Ivey
As most of you know by now, Phil Ivey, Poker Star extroadinare, and arguably the best known poker player in the world, has filed a lawsuit against Full Tilt Poker seeking 150 million in damages, along with injuctive relief asking to be released from his FTP contract to pursue other potential endorsement deals. To beging this process, Phil Ivey released the following PR statement on his website;
“For many years, I have been proud to call myself a poker player. This great sport has taken me to places I only imagined going and I have been blessed with much success. It is therefore with deep regret that I believe I am compelled to release the following statement.
I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered economic harm. I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible.
My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others and on behalf of all poker players I refuse to remain silent any longer. I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me.
I wholeheartedly refuse to accept non-action as to repayment of players funds and I am angered that people who have supported me throughout my career have been treated so poorly.
I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action and would like to clarify that until a solution is reached that cements the security of all players, both US and International, I will, as I have for the last six weeks, dedicate the entirety of my time and efforts to finding a solution for those who have been wronged by the painfully slow process of repayment.”
The above statement has to be the most disgenious drivel I have ever read before. While I respect Ivey for looking out for his own interest here. I DO NOT RESPECT IVEY because he claims to care about the players who have not yet been paid”
The Lawsuit in brief can be viewed at the following link ;
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56836292/I...mplaint-060111
Ivey goes on in his statement that his lawsuit has to do with PLAYERS, “plural”, accounts. Yet no where in the complaint filed does Phil seek relief for anyone else but himself. Ivey is asking for 150 million dollars for HIMSELF! If Ivey is even remotely doing this for the players, why is that not mentioned at all in the complaint?
I can certainly understand and agree with the complaint in terms of Ivey wanting to be let out of his contract with FTP.. But people, do not beleive Ivey is doing this for you!
Nothing Ivey is doing now is for your own good, for you guys to get paid. In fact, in my opinion, this can only hurt FTP’s effort to ensure you all get paid sooner than later. Granted, FTP has handled this situation very poorly, and their PR SUCKS MONKEY PUCKEY. Let’s look at FTP’S response to Ivey’s PR and Lawsuit to see how bad their PR department really is;
“Contrary to his sanctimonious public statements, Phil Ivey’s meritless lawsuit is about helping just one player — himself
Tiltware doubts Mr. Ivey’s frivolous and self-serving lawsuit will ever get to court. But if it does, the company looks forward to presenting facts demonstrating that Mr. Ivey is putting his own narrow financial interests ahead of the players he professes to help.”
Michele Clayborne, of the company’s public relations agency, said by e-mail.
Who does PR for FTP, an angry boy who just got shot down by some hotty big chested girlie, thus rejecting his romantic desire? FTP should respond in a much more professional/adult manner. However, I do agree with them, Ivey is doing this for Ivey, and it is his right to do so for sure.
Some sources have said that Ivey had an account frozen by The DOJ, and is looking to insulate himself from further indictments that are said to be coming. FTP says Ivey owes them money, implying Ivey is cash poor and is looking for a fast buck, wanting out of his contract to take another deal with another site, as Ivey also implies another site/endorsement deal in his legal complaint.
Ivey has to know that by filing this lawsuit, it will not help anyone else but himself, and I think long term it may hurt Ivey. FTP made this bed however, and as I have mentioned many times before, they are handling this whole situation terribly. This post here is in no way meant to exonerate FTP or take their side in this. It is meant to show that Ivey does not give a shit about the players as his PR so disengenously stated. If you happen to be a man reading this and you beleive Ivey is out to help you, I would point out to you that the next time you take a piss, LIFT THE DAMNED TOILET SEAT UP MAN!